In this haunting and thought-provoking book, a series of natural disasters and man-made events conspire to bring the U.S. to its knees as the infrastrIn this haunting and thought-provoking book, a series of natural disasters and man-made events conspire to bring the U.S. to its knees as the infrastructure gradually begins to falter. Eventually all utilities shut down completely, and without electricity and gas, there is no real news—-just rumors. Stores quickly empty, and desperation and fear set in.

The story focuses on two teenage girls who live about 30 miles from the nearest town in the northern redwood forest of CA. The deaths of their parents leave them completely dependent on each other. At first they sit cozily by the fire, carefully rationing their food, taking an inventory of everything in the house, and waiting for things to return to normal. Even as they begin to grow and preserve their own food, and then develop more aggressive survival skills, they watch their resources dwindle. How incredible to make a decision about when to use the last aspirin or how to use the last can of gas. Or to savor a single Hershey's Kiss, knowing that it may be the last chocolate you will ever taste in your life. It's hard to read this book without feeling like an unappreciative squanderer.

This is an amazing story about survival against all odds and about the gifts of nature, and finally about a much-tested love between sisters. There are some disturbing elements to the story and I haven't quite decided whether it ends on a depressing note or one of triumph. But it is a very compelling read. ...more

Fifteen-year-old Daisy, unhappy and anorexic, is bundled off to live with her aunt and cousins in rural England in this slightly-futuristic young adulFifteen-year-old Daisy, unhappy and anorexic, is bundled off to live with her aunt and cousins in rural England in this slightly-futuristic young adult novel. In a refreshing change of pace for the "unwanted-girl-is-sent-to-live-with-relatives" genre, Daisy's relations welcome and embrace her. They are a strange little group, and Daisy fits right in, sharing their psychic talents for one thing.

When the country is invaded, Daisy must travel through war-torn England with her younger cousin Piper as they try to make their way towards family and safety. Piper is an endearing little soul, beloved by everyone who meets her (including me), and it is Daisy's intense sense of protectiveness toward her that drew me into this book.

It takes a little while to get into the swing of the author's writing, with its lack of punctuation, but once you do, it really does work. It was a compelling read, but with an ending that seemed a little abrupt and unsatisfying. I would recommend this book, although it doesn't earn a place on my list of all-time favorites.

The sexual relationship that is part of Daisy's story, and the graphically-depicted horrors of war may make this book too intense and mature for younger teens. I was surprised that it was recommended for "12 years and up."

I picked this book up by accident at the library—-thought it was something else—-and am glad I did!

When an asteroid hits the moon and knocks it intoI picked this book up by accident at the library—-thought it was something else—-and am glad I did!

When an asteroid hits the moon and knocks it into an orbit that is closer to earth, the moon's gravitational forces wreak havoc on earth, causing devastating natural disasters. The protagonist, 16-year-old Miranda, lives in Pennsylvania. She is not close to the sites of the disasters, but her family feels the effects through food shortages and loss of electricity, heat, and communication. The story is told through Miranda's journal entries and it is a page turner. I had to use great restraint to keep from peeking at the end of the book. This is a young adult book, and is a great book for both teens and adults. It touches on important questions about sacrifice, family bonds, and whether there is room for altruism when survival becomes a day to day struggle...more

An absolutely chilling account of the last days of the last people on earth after a nuclear war devastates the northern hemisphere and sends waves ofAn absolutely chilling account of the last days of the last people on earth after a nuclear war devastates the northern hemisphere and sends waves of radiation throughout the world. Inhabitants of southern Australia watch as radiation sickness makes its way steadily southward and the entire continents of South America and Africa “go out,” followed by cities in northern Australia.

In some ways the reactions of the various characters seem completely unbelievable as life goes on in a mostly eerily normal way. But this was written in the late 1950s, before the internet and 24-hour television news and it’s probably reasonable that many people could have chosen ignorance or denial of the situation. Still—all these scientists and high-level military types and no discussion of possible strategies for survival? It’s a riveting story, though, and I couldn’t put it down. ...more

I didn’t like this quite as much as Life As We Knew It—mostly because I enjoyed the journal format of the first book—but it’s a difference of just a sI didn’t like this quite as much as Life As We Knew It—mostly because I enjoyed the journal format of the first book—but it’s a difference of just a sliver of a star. A companion novel to that book, this takes place during the same apocalyptic event but is told from the perspective of Alex, a Puerto Rican teen living in New York City. With fewer resources and no parents on the scene, his tale is much grimmer and it’s very painful to read.

Like LAWKI, it’s a riveting story of survival, family and culture. It’s also a story of faith—and Alex struggles with his own and is also sustained by the Catholic beliefs that inform his view of the world.

I’m finding that I have a real taste for dystopian fiction (thanks to Lisa who introduced me The Way We Live Now, On the Beach, Into the Forest and LAWKI!) But every time I read one of these books, I head straight into my kitchen to do a quick inventory. I think my stash of non-perishables will see me through at least six months.

Very tough to review this. I love the premise of this series and especially liked hearing the story through Miranda’s diary entries (something I misseVery tough to review this. I love the premise of this series and especially liked hearing the story through Miranda’s diary entries (something I missed greatly in the second book). As with the first one, I couldn’t put this down. And yet, much of the story felt a little annoying and extremely contrived—often outright unbelievable.

For example, it seems that a year into this disaster, with no end in sight, the family would feel and act a bit more desperate. Wouldn’t they spend as much time as possible searching homes and other buildings for food and supplies? Instead, Miranda occasionally went off to do so more as a diversion, it seemed, than anything else. Miranda’s relationship with Alex also didn’t feel realistic to me, nor did many of her philosophical musings.

I loved watching the story unfold in response to world-shattering events in the first book. And enjoyed seeing how those events affected another family in the second. This book didn’t really add any kind of fresh dimension to the story and the new characters didn’t add much either. So, a rather disappointing end to this series.

I didn't want to like this book--the premise is so completely horrifying--but it was captivating right from the get go. Unfortunately, the ending wasI didn't want to like this book--the premise is so completely horrifying--but it was captivating right from the get go. Unfortunately, the ending was disappointing and flat, which kept me from giving it that extra star--even though I know it's a book that will stick with me for a long, long time. ...more

Guess I'm in the minority with this one, but after The Hunger Games, this was a huge disappointment. My three stars actually feel a little bit generouGuess I'm in the minority with this one, but after The Hunger Games, this was a huge disappointment. My three stars actually feel a little bit generous to me. I was annoyed by the main plot element and also thought this book took a long time to get off the ground--and even then, it wasn't nearly as riveting as THG. I didn't really even like Katniss quite as much (though I do love her name!) as she seemed just a bit too self-sacrificing to be a believable 17-year-old.

I understand that this book serves as a bridge between books 1 and 3, but wish it could have stood on its own a little more. I did like the ending and am definitely looking forward to the last in the trilogy. ...more